Essay, Research Paper: Henry Ford

Henry Ford's life spanned the period from the Civil War to past World War II. During this time,America was transformed from a rural, agricultural society to an urban, industrial one. HenryFord, who left the farm for the factory, helped develop mass production, assembly-line methodsof manufacturing, and put America on the road with an affordable car, both symbolized andcontributed to this American transformation. Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863 in Greenfield Township, Michigan. He was the firstof William and Mary Ford's six children.His father was William Ford, who was a farmer fromIreland. Henry had always liked machinery, and did not think of himself as a farmer even thoughthat was his father's dream for him. He grew up on a prosperous family farm in what is todayDearborn, Michigan. Henry enjoyed a childhood typical of the rural nineteenth century, spendingdays in a one-room school and doing farm chores. At an early age, he showed an interest inmechanical things and a dislike for farm work. In 1879, sixteen-year-old Ford left home for the nearby city of Detroit to work as anapprentice machinist, although he occasionally returned to help on the farm. He remained anapprentice for three years and then returned to Dearborn. During the next few years, Henrydivided his time between operating or repairing steam engines, finding occasional work in aDetroit factory, and over-hauling his father's farm implements, as well as lending a reluctant handwith other farm work. Upon his marriage to Clara Bryant in 1888, Henry supported himself andhis wife by running a sawmill. In 1891, Ford became an engineer with the Edison IlluminatingCompany in Detroit. This event signified a conscious decision on Ford's part to dedicate his life toindustrial pursuits. His promotion to Chief Engineer in 1893 gave him enough time and money todevote attention to his personal experiments on internal combustion engines. These experimentsculminated in 1896 with the completion of his own self-propelled vehicle-the Quadricycle. TheQuadricycle had four wire wheels that looked like heavy bicycle wheels, was steered with a tillerlike a boat, and had only two forward speeds with no reverse. Although Ford was not the first tobuild a self-propelled vehicle with a gasoline engine, he was, however, one of several automotivepioneers who helped this country become a nation of motorists. In 1893 on November 6th the couple had a son named Edsel. In 1897 he bought a winter
home for his family in Fort Myers, Florida. This house was also next to his friend ThomasEdison s home. In 1918 Henry ran for Senate, but lost his bid. In 1943 Edsel Ford died at the ageof 49, shortly thereafter Henry died at age 83 on April 7, 1947. He became the United States firstmillionaire. Henry Ford s legacy still lives on today. A TIMELINE OF HENRY FORD S LIFE 1863 -- Born July 30 in Greenfield Township, Michigan. 1879 -- Leaves family farm for Detroit to work in machine shops. 1888 -- Marries Clara Bryant of Greenfield Township and moves to 80-acre farm in what is today Dearborn. 1891 -- Secures position as engineer with the Edison Illuminating Company; returns to Detroit. 1893 -- Edsel Bryant Ford, only child of Henry and Clara Ford, born. 1896 -- Completes his first automobile, the Quadricycle, and drives it through the streets of Detroit. 1899 -- Ends eight years of employment with the Edison Illuminating Company to devote full attention to the many manufacture of automobiles. Made chief engineer and partner in the newly formed Detroit Automobile Company which produced only a few cars. 1901 -- Henry Ford Company organized with Ford as engineer. Ford resigns over dispute with bankers in 1902 and the company becomes the Cadillac Motor Car Co. 1903 -- Ford Motor Company is officially incorporated. Ford's first Model A appears on the market in Detroit. 1908 -- Ford begins manufacturing the famous Model T. 1910 -- Begins operations at factory in Highland Park, Michigan. 1913 -- Introduces first moving automobile assembly line at Highland Park. 1914 -- Announces his plan to share the Ford Motor Company's profits with workers, paying them $5.00 for an eight hour day. 1915 -- The Oscar II, Ford's "Peace Ship," sets sail for Norway on a pacifist expedition to end World War I. 1917 -- Begins construction of industrial facility on the Rouge River in Dearborn, Michigan. 1918 -- Loses his bid for the U.S. Senate. 1919 -- Edsel B . Ford, son of Henry Ford, is named president of Ford Motor Company 1921 -- Ford Motor Company dominates auto production with 55 percent of industry's total output. 1926 -- Focuses on a